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BUILDING A RESILIENT SECURITY SECTOR

Executive Summary

This roadmap outlines a cohesive strategy to advance Armenia’s Security Sector Reform (SSR) by addressing systemic inefficiencies and aligning governance structures with democratic principles. Recognizing that reform efforts are already underway, the roadmap identifies the critical need for a unified, strategic framework that synchronizes existing national strategies and action plans, including judiciary sector reforms, the Anti-Corruption Strategy, the National Strategy for Human Rights Protection, the Action Plan for UN Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security, and other strategic documents.

Systemic Priorities:

The roadmap underscores systemic priorities that are essential to ensuring reform sustainability and effectiveness. These include the establishment of a coordinating body, under the Security Council Office or the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Defense and Security, to coordinate the reform process. Additionally, a Reform Coordination Team comprising representatives from all key stakeholders is proposed to ensure alignment and inclusivity. Developing a detailed and harmonized action plan, identifying local and international partners, and defining measurable Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are emphasized as foundational steps.

Institutional gaps will be addressed through legislative reviews, the institutionalization of independent audits, and enhanced resource allocation for oversight bodies. Regular evaluations and the promotion of public education campaigns are recommended to foster transparency and trust. The roadmap also advocates for transitioning from reliance on external support to locally developed governance frameworks.

Strategic Pillars:

The roadmap details actionable recommendations across seven strategic pillars:

Enhancing Parliamentary Oversight and Accountability:

Strengthening legislative frameworks, introducing specialized subcommittees, and institutionalizing public hearings to enhance transparency and trust.

Intelligence Governance and Oversight:

Balancing operational secrecy with democratic accountability through structured oversight mechanisms, targeted training, and public transparency initiatives.

Enhancing Professionalism, Transparency, and Accountability in the Defense Sector:

Implementing anti-corruption measures, modernizing defense practices, and fostering collaboration with international partners.

Promoting Gender Inclusivity:

Addressing cultural barriers and integrating gender-sensitive reforms into training, leadership programs, and accountability mechanisms.

Improving the Welfare and Mental Health of Military Personnel:

Establishing robust psychological services, addressing harmful practices, and integrating evidence-based mental health standards.

Promoting Human Rights:

Strengthening legislative frameworks and oversight mechanisms to address systemic human rights issues in the security sector.

Strengthening Independent Oversight Institutions:

Enhancing the capacity and independence of oversight bodies through legal reforms, targeted training, and collaborative networks.

Implementation Framework:

The roadmap provides a phased approach with short-, mid-, and long-term recommendations, ensuring adaptability and responsiveness to evolving challenges. Immediate priorities include establishing coordination mechanisms, launching targeted training, and initiating legislative reviews. Mid-term actions focus on institutionalizing reforms and expanding capacity-building efforts, while long-term actions aim to embed a culture of accountability and inclusivity across the security sector.

By addressing systemic risks, fostering collaboration among stakeholders, and synchronizing SSR with existing national strategies, this roadmap aims to build resilient, transparent, and accountable institutions that uphold Armenia’s democratic values and respond effectively to contemporary security challenges.

See the full publication under the link below: BUILDING A RESILIENT SECURITY SECTOR: A Roadmap for Transparent, Inclusive, and Accountable Defense Reforms in Armenia (Adobe PDF, 361 Kb)

This document was developed within the framework of the project “Promotion of Human Rights in the RA Defense Sector,” implemented by Peace Dialogue NGO with the support of the Democracy Development Foundation (DDF).

The strategic objectives outlined in the document, as well as numerous recommendations included in the document, were informed and inspired by a series of studies conducted by Peace Dialogue in collaboration with and with expert support from the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF).